Australia’s ELICOS sector has paid tribute to its long-standing member, Christine Bundesen, who one of the founding members of English Australia and a NEAS board member.
Christine passed away peacefully on September 26.
Over four decades, Christine was an advocate for the English language teaching sector, leading the Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education at the University of Queensland for 30 years.
“Many within the ELICOS community have benefitted from Christine’s mentorship, sage advice and philanthropy,” English Australia said.
The Christine Bundesen AM Language Teaching Organisation Management Grant – part of the English Australia Awards Program since 2017 – is typical of her long-term commitment to the sector, the organisation added.
“Our sector will miss Christine enormously and our warmest thoughts are with her family and friends.”
In 2012, when Christine was awarded Member of the Order in the Queens Birthday Honours list, English Australia chair Chris Wallis hailed her as “one of the prime movers in the establishment and development of the Australian international education for overseas students industry”.
Christine’s passing “is a huge loss of a fierce advocate and much-loved member of our community”, quality assurance expert NEAS said.
“We are saddened we have lost a great leader for the sector and the broader international education endeavour. Christine’s contribution over decades has been immense.”
Christine was awarded an Australian Centenary Medal in 2001 and was the first ever recipient of the English Australia Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding service to the ELICOS industry in 2010.
“This is a great loss for the industry”
She also drafted the original guidelines for the ELICOS Standards and was instrumental in establishing the 2000 Australian Government Education Services for Overseas Act.
In addition to the inaugural IDP Outstanding Achievement in International Education Award in 1997, she was presented with a NEAS Lifetime Member Award in May of this year.
“The NEAS Board, Advisory Council and staff are grateful to have been able to share the NEAS conference in May this year with Christine and to see the joy and pride with which she received the well-deserved NEAS Lifetime Member Award,” NEAS said.
“This is a great loss for NEAS and the industry, and our thoughts are with all her family and friends.”
